Northern Tool 250 amp mig welder

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I am thinking about buying this welder for a backup mig welder for my miller. I have a Northern Tool store 35 miles from me so I called the store and they guaranteed me if it stops working they have all the parts to repair it in house, I can't find any bad reviews on this welder online. The red sticker on top of the welder has a phone number to call for over the phone diagnosis if it stops working.http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...1803_200631803Anyone have any comments or experience on this mig welder.Thanks
Reply:Go for it. It's a back up machine and You get support from NT.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:I like the look of that easy polarity change."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:I would do it, I called NT on my plasma cutter when I first got it and their service dept is for real, and they stand 100% behind their welders.Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52
Reply:It sure would be nice to know who makes it for Northern Tool? When I talked to the guy at the store all he knew was it was made to NT specifications but he didn't know who manufactured it. I'm looking for good customer support for my welders, I live close to the Miller factory so Miller and Hobart is all I have and the customer service has been outstanding for me. All the local welding supply stores carry Miller(Hobart) and Lincoln in my area. It's kind of hard to justify spending almost three times as much for a backup welder.Last edited by kctgb; 04-26-2015 at 08:45 AM.
Reply:Why would you even need a backup welder if you have all those stores close by. You can go out and get one anytime the need would arise. Really no need to have money just sitting there not being used.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Just to make your life difficult.... both the Lincoln 216 and the Miller 212 are close to the 60% duty cycle of the NT machine at less than twice the price. They don't have quite the top end that the NT machine has so it comes down to what you may want to do with the machine, brand loyalty,and how much loose change you have. I think the Miller has infinite voltage control and the other 2 are tapped. Have fun checking them all out.Additional: Just noticed the Lincoln does have 250 amp output also.Last edited by Meltedmetal; 04-26-2015 at 09:05 AM.---Meltedmetal
Reply:I would buy from norther as they stand behind what they sell, the only issue I have is parts down the line, say 5 to 10 years..will you be able to get parts for it if needed and if not what will northern do, miller and lincoln have parts for older machines or enough machines were sold to scavenge for parts..perfect example are the sa-200s.....Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Originally Posted by MeltedmetalJust to make your life difficult.... both the Lincoln 216 and the Miller 212 are close to the 60% duty cycle of the NT machine at less than twice the price. They don't have quite the top end that the NT machine has so it comes down to what you may want to do with the machine, brand loyalty,and how much loose change you have. I think the Miller has infinite voltage control and the other 2 are tapped. Have fun checking them all out.Additional: Just noticed the Lincoln does have 250 amp output also.
Reply:Originally Posted by kctgbThe Miller has the infinite control but that isn't a big issue for me, Iv'e never had problems welding with tap setting on a welder. The infinite control is good for auto body work, most of my welding is repairing farm equipment for farmers.Machanic416, having a backup welder keeps my customers happy when they need their equipment repaired NOW, Iv'e been down that road before. It's easy to loose customers and very hard to get them. As for money sitting there not being used I have a son starting college this fall that's costing me over $30.000 a year. I wish I could pick money off the tree in my back yard but I can't. I have to work for it and that means keeping customers happy. It's called running a business.
Reply:Originally Posted by roadkillbobbI would buy from norther as they stand behind what they sell, the only issue I have is parts down the line, say 5 to 10 years..will you be able to get parts for it if needed and if not what will northern do, miller and lincoln have parts for older machines or enough machines were sold to scavenge for parts..perfect example are the sa-200s.....
Reply:Originally Posted by roadkillbobbdo you do most of your work inhouse or do you go out to the farms to work? mabe an engine driven welder would give you better service..
Reply:[Machanic416, having a backup welder keeps my customers happy when they need their equipment repaired NOW, Iv'e been down that road before. It's easy to loose customers and very hard to get them. As for money sitting there not being used I have a son starting college this fall that's costing me over $30.000 a year. I wish I could pick money off the tree in my back yard but I can't. I have to work for it and that means keeping customers happy. It's called running a business.[/QUOTE]If my business depended on having a backup welder it wouldn't be a Northern tool unit.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Originally Posted by mechanic416[Machanic416, having a backup welder keeps my customers happy when they need their equipment repaired NOW, Iv'e been down that road before. It's easy to loose customers and very hard to get them. As for money sitting there not being used I have a son starting college this fall that's costing me over $30.000 a year. I wish I could pick money off the tree in my back yard but I can't. I have to work for it and that means keeping customers happy. It's called running a business.
Reply:If I was looking for a backup welder I would look for a used Miller. Drive rolls and other consumables would be the same. You didn't state what model miller you have but almost all of the 250 amp models will use the same gun and rolls. I would trust a 20 year old miller over a new , unknown manufacturer import. Another option would be the Tweco 211 which would be real close performance wise to the NT model. It can be had for under $1000, from Bakers Gas or weldersupply.com .
Reply:Or $600.00 more and some change will buy me a Hobart Ironman for a backup with a good duty cycle.
Reply:It has the same duty cycle as the Ironman.Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52
Reply:hi guys im new here i joined because i saw this conversation on this welder....im ready to pop on one as the other gentleman whio started the thread....kc...did you ever buy this welder?...does anyone have an idea ?..it seems like a good quality welder....i had to sell my miller 212 to free up money for other stuffheres the linkhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Klutch-MIG-2...-/331507831195
Reply:Originally Posted by kctgb80 to 90 percent of my work is in my work shop, I made a quick plug(breaker) that will plug into any service panel if I need to go to a farm for repairs. All I do is pop out two breakers and pop in my 220 breaker and connect the ground and I'm good to go, It takes ten minutes to set up and works great. I really don't have much of a need for a engine drive welder along with the maintenance that goes along with it.
Reply:Hey guys,,,didnt Century use to "private label"
Reply:I have a Miller-Matic 35...Old but a goody....I saw one at a pawn shop for $300...its been there a few years...i will end up with it..as a back up or for parts...
Reply:Originally Posted by kctgbIf my business depended on having a backup welder it wouldn't be a Northern tool unit.